From Terrestrial Laser Scanner Survey to Finite Element Modelling for the Dynamic Assessment of a Historic Masonry Tower: The Torre Del Borgo Case Study

Abstract

This paper presents a condensed workflow for the structural and dynamic assessment of a historic masonry tower based on terrestrial laser scanner survey, ambient vibration tests, and finite element analysis. The study focuses on the Torre del Borgo in Recanati, Italy, a medieval masonry structure located in a moderate-to-high seismicity area. The investigation compares two geometric modelling strategies derived from the same survey dataset: a point-cloud-driven indirect model and a simplified direct CAD model based on selected sections. Both models were transferred into a finite element environment and calibrated through operational modal analysis results. The comparison highlights the role of geometric fidelity in the numerical interpretation of the dynamic response of heritage masonry structures. The study confirms that high-resolution survey data can significantly improve structural representation, although model usability depends on a careful balance between geometric accuracy, interoperability, and computational manageability.